text: There are multiple formation methods for carbon nanofoams. Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) has been the first technique used for the synthesis of carbon nanofoam, and is considered one of the most versatile approach for the production of carbon nanofoams with controlled density and morphology. The process of nanofoam growth via the Pulsed Laser Deposition has been described in terms of a "snowfall-like" mechanism:
  (i) Carbon nanoparticles are generated upon laser ablation of a graphite target, either directly of because of the presence of a background atmosphere
  (ii) Nanoparticles stick together in micrometric-sized, fractal-like aggregates that grow in-flight within the deposition chamber
  (iii) fractal-like aggregates land on a suitable substrate, much like snowflakes land on the ground
  (iv) a void-rich, web-like nanofoam is obtained by the layering of fractal-like aggregates  
  Two of the most common alternatives to PLD synthesis are described below:
  Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were constructed into nanofoams by:
  (i) Recycled milk container board was pretreated with deep eutectic solvent (DES) to fibrillate it.
  (ii) The pretreated board was put through a simple freezing drying procedure to form a nanofoam shape.
  (iii) Fibers are then modified for increased hydrophobicity and reinforced structure by sialylation agents.
  A porous carbon nanofoam was created by:
  (i) Pitch and CaCO (in a 1:14 ratio) were dissolved in methylene chloride. 10mL of NaCl was added. Mixture was stirred continuously.
  (ii) Sample was naturally air dried at room temperature.
  (iii) Sample was carbonized at 600 °C for 2 hours. The heating rate was 2 °C per minute.
  (iv) Carbonized structure is washed in 1M HCl to remove excess CaCO nanoparticles.